Ravi Baswani
Ravi Baswani (1946-2010) was a well known Indian actor for his comic skills. Actor Ravi Baswani who was born on September 29, 1946 and ended his journey of Life on July 27, 2010, was one of the best actors in Bollywood Film industry.
Career
He started his career in 1981 with Chashme Buddoor and did many successful films as comedian or character artist. He had also been very active on Indian TV as well. One of his major successful movies has been Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro for which he won Filmfare Best Comedian Award in 1984.
In the Bollywood of 1980s, when comedy often meant either slipping on banana peel or running on the streets in underwear, Ravi Baswani brought a healthy dose of subtlety and sophistication to the craft.
He excelled in two sparkling cult comedies that earned both critical plaudits and cash counter success —
- Sai Paranjpe's "Chashme Buddoor" (1981),
- Kundan Shah's "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" (1983).
In "Chashme Buddoor", Baswani played Jai, a college student rather desperate for a girlfriend. Blessed with inquisitive, talkative eyes, the Delhi-born actor imbued the part with credibility without sacrificing on humour. Jai is hilarious but we also empathize with the guy.
In "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron", Baswani formed a wonderful comic team with Naseeruddin Shah, both playing professional photographers. Again, there were no antics or mimics from Baswani but he still managed to tickle the funny bone. He won the Filmfare Award for the best comedian for the role. In recent years, there was much talk of a "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" sequel but nothing came of it.
Baswani was also outstanding in "Ab Ayega Maza" (1984) where he played a foreign-returned guy with a funny accent. The way he spoke his lines — Dharmendra kidhar rehte hain — had the audience in splits. TV audience also enjoyed watching him in "Idhar Udhar", the hugely popular comedy serial on Doordarshan in the 1980s.
"After 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', colour television came to his rescue. He got to act in a lot of serials on Doordarshan. Soon after, he got to produce and direct a serial. These things kept him occupied and learning,". Sadly, a career that started out so promisingly got lost in a maze of forgettable roles in forgettable Bollywood films: "Love 86" (1986), "Return of Jewel Thief" (1996), "Chal Mere Bhai" (2000), to name a few. One of his forthcoming films is "Mastang Mama".
"His was a crucial casting (for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro). He even helped Naseeruddin Shah flesh out his character," the film's director Kundan Shah said.
Films he acted
- Chashme Buddoor – 1981
- Dhat Tere, Ki – 1983
- Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro – 1983
- Ab Ayega Mazaa – 1984
- Main Balwan – 1986
- Love 86 – 1986
- Ghar Sansar – 1986
- Peechha Karro – 1986
- Zevar – 1987
- Jaan Tere Naam – 1992
- Raunaq – 1993
- Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa – 1993
- Laadla – 1994
- Return of Jewel Thief – 1996
- Ghar Bazar – 1998
- Chhota Chetan – 1998
- Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai – 1998
- Chal Mere Bhai – 2000
- Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya… – 2001
- It Could Be You – 2005
- Lucky: No Time for Love – 2005
- Bunty Aur Babli – 2005
- The Film – 2005
- Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota: What If ? – 2006
- Anthony Kaun Hai? – 2006
- Monsoon – 2006
Demise
The 63-year-old actor passed away after suffering a massive heart attack in Shimla on Tuesday, 27 July 2010.
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